5 Most Dangerous Foods You Must Keep Away from Your Cat

To keep your beloved cat healthy, it’s crucial to understand which foods are dangerous for them. Cats’ digestive systems differ significantly from humans, making some foods extremely harmful. Here are five foods you should never feed your cat.

According to the 2023 Pet Protection and Welfare Survey by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, pet cat numbers continue to rise annually. Newly registered cats, part of efforts to prevent lost animals, increased from 9,000 in 2021 to 11,000 in 2022 and 13,000 in 2023.

Despite this growing number of pet cats, many owners are unaware of which foods harm them. To assist, we’ve compiled a list of five foods that cats should never consume.

The first food cats should avoid is chocolate. Chocolate contains theobromine, which can severely affect a cat’s nervous system and heart. Even a tiny amount can be fatal. Symptoms of theobromine poisoning in cats include vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. Dark and baking chocolate are particularly dangerous due to their high theobromine content.

The second food to avoid is avocado. Avocados contain a substance called persin, which can be toxic to cats. Consuming an avocado may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. The skin and pit of the avocado are particularly hazardous.

Third on the list is alcohol. Even small amounts of alcohol can cause severe damage to a cat’s liver and brain. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and seizures. Moreover, a cat doesn’t need to drink alcohol directly—food or drinks containing alcohol pose the same risks.

The fourth food is ginger. Ginger can irritate a cat’s digestive system, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The distinctive smell and flavor of ginger can be unpleasant for cats, which makes it especially harmful in large amounts. It’s best to keep ginger out of a cat’s diet.

Finally, caffeine is another substance that cats should avoid. Caffeine, usually found in coffee, tea, and energy drinks, can negatively affect a cat’s nervous system and heart. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures. In severe cases, it can be fatal.

To protect your cat’s health, keep these foods out of reach. If your cat consumes any of these foods on the list, take it to a veterinarian immediately for professional help.